Plateau
State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong Today Wednesday, 9th August, 2017. At
the State Government House Little Rayfield. Signed into Law two Bills.
The
Bill signed by Governor Lalong, included a law to provide for the
establishment of the plateau state internal revenue service
administration and collection of revenue of all state government
ministries, department and agencies. To harmonize the rates and levies
for collection by local government councils in Plateau state and other
matters connected.
The second bill was a law to
establish the plateau state independent electoral commission, regulate
the conduct of local government council election and for matters
related
See Governor Lalong’s Speech that was delivered at the Occasion :
ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, RT.
HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE SIGNING INTO LAW OF THE TWO BILLS ESTABLISHING
THE PLATEAU STATE REVENUE CONSOLIDATION LAW AND THE PLATEAU STATE INDEPENDENT
ELECTORAL COMMISSION AS AMENDED AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE LITTLE RAYFIELD, ON
WEDNESDAY 9TH AUGUST, 2017
PROTOCOL
It
is my pleasure to have assented to two Bills today, bringing into effect the
Plateau State Revenue Consolidation Law 2017 and the Plateau State Independent
Electoral Commission Law as Amended.
Since
the inception of our Rescue Administration, I have ensured that we remained
focused on putting in place legal instruments that will make for the
establishment and operations of institutions which will enhance the political
and socio-economic well being of our citizens.
The
building of strong institutions through sound laws have remained undoubtedly one
way through which the solid foundation upon which democratic practices such as citizens
participation, respect for human rights and dignity, economic freedom, social
welfare and the control of the Abuse of Power within a democratic space can be
guaranteed.
It
is with this consciousness in mind that we took time to identify flaws and
areas of conflicts in the laws which have been amended and the new ones
formulated to ensure we have instruments that have been enriched with the
experiences of the past, present realities and expectations of future
challenges to effectively conduct the business of government.
The
Revenue consolidation law as outlined in the Synopsis presented, will chiefly
provide for the reinforcement of the Revenue Collection System through a
functional Administrative Structure and harmonization of the various rates,
levies and taxes that are collected by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government,
as well as by the Local Government Councils in Plateau.
We
have not left anyone in the State in doubt as to the precarious financial
position of the State, and should we relent in capturing all State Revenue
Sources while also blocking leakages, finding a means of providing for the
several developmental needs of the State will remain an illusion, given the
current State of economic challenge the country is going through.
It
is my expectation that with the Revenue Consolidation Law, the State Internal
Revenue Service, all MDAs and Local Government Councils will ensure strict
enforcement and collection of rates, levies and taxes due to State.
Let
me also use this medium to appeal to all our citizens to ensure compliance with
the payment of all taxes as a civic responsibility. The provisions of the law
are clear and we shall not relent in enforcing its provisions and penalties for
any breach of the law.
The
Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law is in its own right, a Law
of great interest to the people of Plateau State. This law lends credence to
our repeated assurance to the citizens of the State, that we subscribe to the
democratic principle of having political governance structure put in place
through the consent of the governed. We are prepared as a government to conduct
election into the Third Tier of Government which will be largely participatory
free, fair, credible and generally acceptable. These qualities of a good
election cannot be guaranteed without a robust institutional framework and
instrument, that will reduce conflicts and complicities that would frustrate
the process of the election.
The
PLASIEC and other related matter new law will not only regulate the conduct of
elections, the structure and functions of local councils, but will also provide
for the creation and administration of Development Areas, in keeping with the
yearnings and aspiration of our people. With this law the ball has now been
squarely placed in the court of the Plateau State Independent Electoral
Commission, to execute her primary mandate in line with the provisions
contained therein.
May
I reiterate that we remain focused on value addition in all that we do as a Government,
and notwithstanding the economic challenges we are facing, we will continue to
provide a functional environment for the advancement of the socio-economic well
being of our citizens. I therefore implore all citizens of the State to take advantage
of all the Institutions and Structures we are putting in place, to guarantee
service delivery in all sectors of our society.
In
conclusion, let me thank the Rt. Honourable Speaker and Honourable members of
the State House of Assembly for the prompt consideration and meticulous passage
of the Two Bills. I appreciate your commitment to sustaining very vibrant Legislature
– Executive collaboration for the good of the people of our dear State. May I
also request you to in the same spirit to do due diligence in the other Executive
Bills pending before the House.
Once
again, I thank all the peace loving people of Plateau for keeping an abiding
faith with our Government, and I assure you that with God on our side, we shall
conquer our common challenges through this partnership.
I
thank you for listening and may God bless our dear State.
Rt.
Hon. Simon Bako Lalong
Executive
Governor
Post Credit: Jenvulu